Gray Mouse Lemur

The grey mouse-lemur (Microcebus murinus) is among the smallest living primates, as well as being one of the most primitive primates still alive today. Despite its tiny size, the grey mouse-lemur is the largest mouse lemur (Microcebus) species, and as its name suggests it has a somewhat mouse-like appearance. The grey mouse-lemur is a greyish-brown animal with a brownish head bearing two large, protruding ears. The underparts of the body and the throat are dull beige to off-white, and there is a whitish patch between the eyes. Some individuals also have dark markings around the eyes. The grey mouse-lemur shows no sexual dimorphism, which means that males and females cannot easily be differentiated. Behind the retina of each eye, there is a reflective layer (the ‘tapetum’) that reflects light, making this lemur easy to spot with a torch at night. Like other mouse lemurs, the grey mouse-lemur has a relatively long body, a long tail, short legs and a rounded face with large eyes. The grey mouse-lemur is an opportunistic feeder that leaps among the branches and the forest floor, moving about on all fours. On the ground, the grey mouse-lemur moves in a frog-like fashion, while in the trees it leaps about using its hind legs like a spring.